Nonlawyers used to represent themselves in only the simplest cases. Even that caused challenges for the court system, as trial judges had to slow down and explain procedural matters to these novice litigators.
But things are getting even more ticklish for the Judicial Branch, which now notes that a rising tide of self-represented parties is beginning to inundate the more complex world of the state Appellate Court. As a result, court officials at a recent Pro Bono Summit hope to recruit appellate attorneys to help them.